Introduction to the Autonomic Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

Which limb of the autonomic nervous system has more of an effect on the Liver?

A

Sympathetic – causes hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis

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2
Q

Which limb of the autonomic nervous system dominates the lungs and the eyes at rest?

A

Parasympathetic

Lungs – causes partial bronchoconstriction

Eyes – allows near vision (constricts pupil)

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3
Q

Describe the relationship between baroreceptor firing and parasympathetic discharge.

A

Baroreceptors are stimulatory to the parasympathetic nerves i.e. an increase in baroreceptor firing stimulates an increase in parasympathetic firing

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4
Q

Describe the differences between sympathetic responses and parasympathetic responses.

A

Sympathetic: coordinated + divergent, 1:20

Parasympathetic: discrete + localised, 1:1

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5
Q

Describe the difference in the transmission through nicotinic and muscarinic receptors.

A

Nicotinic is much faster

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6
Q

What effect does parasympathetic dominance at rest have on the: lungs, gut, bladder and eyes?

A

Lungs – partial bronchoconstriction

Gut – increased gut motility

Bladder – increased urinary frequency

Eyes – short-sightedness

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7
Q

Why would giving a ganglion blocker at rest cause constipation?

A

At rest the parasympathetic nervous system is dominant, which increases gastric motility. This means that a ganglion blocker will knock out this effect and cause constipation.

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8
Q

Where are the 3 types of muscarinic cholinoceptor found?

A

M1 – neural tissue

M2 – cardiac

M3 – exocrine and smooth muscle

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9
Q

Where are adrenoceptors found, what are they stimulated by and what type are they?

A

At (nearly) all effector organs innervated by post ganglionic sympathetic fibres

Stimulated by noradrenaline + adrenaline

Type 2 – G-protein coupled

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10
Q

Describe the synthesis and breakdown of ACh

A

It is formed from acetyl CoA and choline by choline acetyltransferase

It is broken down by acetyl cholinesterase

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11
Q

Describe the synthesis of Noradrenaline.

A

Tyrosine -> DOPA (enzyme: tyrosine hydroxylase)

DOPA -> dopamine (enzyme: DOPA decarboxylase)

Dopamine -> Noradrenaline (enzyme: dopamine beta-hydroxylase)

Last step takes place in a vesicle

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12
Q

What are the 2 uptake mechanisms of noradrenaline?

A

Uptake 1: neuronal tissue – Monoamine Oxidase A (MAO-A)

Uptake 2: extraneuronal tissue – Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase (COMT)

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13
Q

Main targets for autonomic nervous system

A

exocrine glands

smooth muscle

cardiac muscle

metabolism

host defence

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14
Q

Main targets for Somatic nervous system

A

Skeletal muscle

inc. Diaphragm + respiratory muscle

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15
Q

Main targets for neuroendocrine system

A

Growth, metabolism, reproduction, development,

Salt & water balance,

Host defence

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16
Q

State the 2 divisions of the autonomic nervous system

A

Sympathetic

Parasympathetic

17
Q

Describe the autonomic response to drop in blood pressure

A

Arterial baroreceptor firing rate drops

Lose inhibition of the sympathetic system

Increases HR + BP

18
Q

Describe the effects of sympathetic innervation on: eyes, salivary glands, trachea and bronchioles

A

Eyes: Pupil dilation

Salivary glands: Thick viscous secretions

Trachea: Dilates

19
Q

Describe the effects of parasympathetic innervation on: eyes, salivary glands, trachea and bronchioles

A

Eyes: Pupillary constriction + ciliary muscle contraction

Salivary glands: Copious, watery secretion

Trachea: Constriction

20
Q

Describe the effects of sympathetic innervation on: skin, liver, kidney and adipose

A

Skin: Piloerection

Liver: Glycogenolysis + Gluconeogenesis

Kidney: Increased renin secretion

Adipose: Lipolysis

21
Q

Describe the effects of sympathetic innervation on: blood vessels to skeletal muscles and skin, mucous membranes and splanchnic area

A

Skeletal muscles: Dilation

Skin: Constriction

22
Q

Describe the effects of sympathetic innervation on: heart, GI system, ureters and bladder

A

Heart: Increase rate + contractility

GI: Decrease motility + tone, sphincter contraction

U+B: Relaxes detrusor, constriction of trigone + sphincter

23
Q

Describe the effects of parasympathetic innervation on: heart, GI system, ureters and bladder

A

Heart: Decrease rate and contractility

GI: Increase motility + tone, increase secretions

U+B: Contraction of detrusor, relaxation of trigone + sphincter

24
Q

Describe the cholinergic sympathetic response of skin

A

Increased sweating

25
Q

Which nervous system releases NA from post-ganglionic neurones?

A

Sympathetic

26
Q

Which neurotransmitter is used by the parasympathetic nervous system?

A

ACh

27
Q

What neurotransmitter is used by pre-ganglionic sympathetic neurones?

A

ACh

28
Q

Can ACh be released by sympathetic post-ganglionic neurones?

A

Yes

E.g. On sweat glands

29
Q

Describe the journey of signalling in the enteric nervous system

A

Sensory neurone connected to mucosal chemoreceptors + stretch receptors

Info relayed to submucosal + myenteric plexus via interneurones

Motor neurones release ACh or substance P to contract smooth muscle

Or

Vasoactive intestinal peptide or NO to relax smooth muscle

30
Q

Which neurotransmitter is used by the somatic nervous system?

A

ACh

31
Q

Where are nicotinic receptors found, what are they stimulated by, what type are they and what is their speed?

A

At all autonomic ganglia

Stimulated by nicotine + ACh

Type 1 - Ionotropic

Very fast

32
Q

Where are muscarinic receptors found, what are they stimulated by, what type are they and what is their speed?

A

At all effector organs innervated by post-ganglionic parasympathetic fibres

Stimulated by muscarine + ACh

Type 2 - G Protein coupled

Slower

33
Q

What effect would blockade of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors have on heart rate at rest and during exercise?

A

Rest: Parasymp in control, keeps heart rate suppressed. If blocked, HR will increase

Exercise: Symp. Becomes dominant, drives increased HR and BP. If blocked, there would be less of an increase

34
Q

List 4 adrenoceptors

A

Alpha 1

Alpha 2

Beta 1

Beta 2

35
Q

For ACh, when considering effects on the gut

What and where is the drug target? What is the end result of the interaction?

A
  1. Muscarinic receptor (M3) as parasympathetic
  2. Gastric smooth muscle, acid producing cells of stomach, endocrine cells that produce gastrin in stomach
  3. Contraction, increased acid production, increased gastrin secretion
36
Q

For Noradrenaline, when considering effects on heart rate

What and where is the drug target? What is the end result of the interaction?

A
  1. Adrenoceptors (B1)
  2. Nodal tissue in heart that controls rate
  3. Increase in HR
37
Q

Blockade of what target would cause the most significant rise in synaptic noradrenaline concentrations?

A

Uptake 1 transport protein

as interferes with NA ability to leave synpase, so NA accumulates in synapse